Fabric softening compositions with dye transfer inhibitors for improved fabric appearance

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and processes which incorporate water-soluble polymers, other than enzymes, containing .dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- (including PVP) and/or N-oxide groups into the wash, rinse, and/or drying cycle of a laundering process (e.g., via fabric softening compositions) for dye transfer inhibition in the subsequent wash cycle. Multiple wash cycles optimize the dye transfer inhibitor performance of these polymers, remove unwanted dye discoloration caused by dye transfer, and provide soil antiredeposition benefits.

Claims

1. A method of minimizing dye transfer during the wash cycle of a laundering process comprising the following steps:

(a) washing a load of fabrics in a wash solution containing a detergent composition;

(b) rinsing said load of fabrics with an effective amtount of a liquid rinse added fabric softening composition capable of reducing the transfer of dyes during subsequent wash cycles, comprising:

I. from about 3% to about 50% of fabric softening agent; and

II. from about 0.03% to about 25% of water-soluble polymeric dye transfer inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:

(A) polymers, which are not enzymes, with one or more monomeric units containing at least one.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000;

(B) polymers with one or more monomeric units containing at least one N-oxide group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000;

(C) polymers containing both.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- and N-oxide groups of (A) and (B);

(D) mixtures thereof; and

wherein the composition is essentially free of aerosol propellant; bleach; sachets containing an active ingredient; anionic surfactant; large amounts of highly ethoxylated material, propylated Material, or mixtures thereof when the fabric softening agent is methyl-1-oleylamidoethyl-2-olcylimidazolinium methosulfate, or analogous agent;

(c) drying said load of fabrics; and

(d) washing all or part of said load of fabrics, together with or without additional fabrics, said load releasing an effective amount of dye transfer inhibitor into a wash solution containing a detergent composition.

2. A method of minimizing dye transfer during the wash cycle of a laundering process comprising the following steps:

(a) washing a load of fabrics in a wash solution containing a detergent composition;

(b) rinsing said load of fabrics,

(c) drying said load of fabrics in a tumble dryer with an effective amount of dryer added fabric softening composition capable of reducing the transfer of dyes during subsequent wash cycles, comprising:

I. from about 50% to about 99% of fabric softening agent; and

II. from about 0.2% to about 50% of water-soluble polymeric dye transfer inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:

(A) polymers, which are not enzymes, with one or more monomeric units containing at least one.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000;

(B) polymers with one or more monomeric unit containing at least one N-oxide group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000;

(C) polymers containing both.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- and N-oxide groups of (A) and (B);

(D) mixtures thereof; and

wherein the composition is essentially free of aerosol propellant; bleach; sachets containing an active ingredient; anionic surfactant; and additionally, there is from about 50% to about 99%, by weight of the composition, of fabric softening agent consisting essentially of: cationic fabric softener; nonionic fabric softener selected from the group consisting of sorbitan esters C.sub.12 -C.sub.26 fatty alcohols, fatty amines, and mixtures thereof; carboxylic acid salt of teniary amines; and mixtures thereof; and essentially free of polymer-coated soil release polymers; and

III. optionally, a dispensing means which provides for release of an effective amount of the composition to fabrics; and

(d) washing all or part of said load of fabrics, together with or without additional fabrics, said load releasing an effective amount of dye transfer inhibitor into the wash solution containing a detergent composition.

3. A method of minimizing dye transfer during the wash cycle of a laundering process comprising the following steps;

(a) washing a load of fabrics in a wash solution containing a detergent composition;

(b) rinsing said load of fabrics with an effective amount of solid particulate fabric softening composition capable of reducing the transfer of dyes during subsequent wash cycles, comprising:

I. from about 20% to about 90% of fabric softening agent; and

II. from about 0.1% to about 80% of water-soluble polymeric dye transfer inhibitor selected from the group consisting of:

(A) polymers, which are not enzymes, with one or more monomeric units containing at least one.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000;

(B) polymers with one or more monomeric units containing at least one N-oxide group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000;

(C) polymers containing both.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- and N-oxide groups of (A) and (B);

(D) mixtures thereof; and

(c) drying said load of fabrics; and

(d) washing all or part of said load of fabrics, together with or without additional fabrics, said load releasing an effective amount of dye transfer inhibitor into a wash solution containing a detergent composition.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the solid, particulate softening composition is reconstituted into a liquid composition prior to addition to the rinse solution.

5. A method of minimizing dye transfer during the wash cycle of a laundering process by providing an effective amount of water-soluble polymeric dye transfer inhibitor into the wash solution by means other than by adding it as part of a detergent composition wherein said dye transfer inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of:

(A) polymers, which are not enzymes, with one or more monomeric units containing at least one.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000;

(B) polymers with one or more monomeric units containing at least one N-oxide group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000;

(C) polymers containing both.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- and N-oxide groups of (A) and (B); and

(D) mixtures thereof.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said wash solution contains at least some colored fabrics which release dyes and contains fabrics which will be discolored by the released dyes.

7. The method according to claim 5 wherein said dye transfer inhibitor has the structure: ##STR34## wherein m is from 0 to 2; n is selected to provide a molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000; each P and each D can contain one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)--,.tbd.N.fwdarw.O, and mixtures thereof, such that said structure provides dye transfer inhibition and has a water solubility of at least 100 ppm.

8. A method of improving the appearance of fabrics discolored by dye transfer in a laundering process by providing an effective amount of water-soluble polymeric dye transfer inhibitor into the wash solution by means other than by adding it as part of a detergent composition wherein said dye transfer inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of:

(A) polymers, which are not enzymes, with one or more monomeric units containing at least one.dbd.N--C(.dbd.O)-- group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000;

(B) polymers with one or more monomeric units containing at least one N-oxide group having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000;

(C) polymers containing both and N-oxide groups of (A) and (B); and

(D) mixtures thereof.